Rod Extension for Extending Fusion Construct

ABSTRACT

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a rod extension for extending a fusion construct is provided. The rod extension allows a surgeon to connect a stabilization rod implant to at least a portion of a patient&#39;s spine, and also to connect the stabilization rod implant to an existing implant that has been previously installed in the patient. The existing fusion implant typically includes at least one existing pedicle screw, at least one existing rod, and at least one existing connector interconnecting the existing pedicle screw to the existing rod. The extension implant comprises a rod, an offset beam connected to the rod, and a clamp interconnected to the offset beam, wherein the clamp can be secured to the existing rod, thereby extending the fusion construct. A method of use is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/700,887 filed on Jul. 19, 2005, the content of whichis incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to spinal implants, and morespecifically, to a device for extending a pre-existing implant having arod component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At times, spinal surgeons are faced with the problem of having to addadditional length to a fusion rod that spans one or more intervertebraldisks. For example, a patient may have had a previous surgery wherebythey received an implant spanning a single lumbar disk, wherein theimplant serves to structurally fuse the vertebra on either side of thedisk using pedicle screws that are connected to a rigid rod that bridgesthe disk.

If the patient then develops a problem with an adjacent disk, thesurgeon is faced with having to somehow bridge the adjacent disk;however, a location to anchor the first end of the new fusion implant isalready taken up by the existing implant. Accordingly, surgeonstypically open the region of the existing implant and install a newimplant that spans the length of the first implant, as well as theadditional disk that has become problematic. This existing solutioncauses the disruption of the area of the first implant, and therefore,results in additional tissue damage and required healing time, addedsurgical time, and added corresponding treatment costs.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to attach the newimplant to the existing implant without removing the first implant orunnecessarily disrupting or causing tissue damage to the area of theexisting implant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a spinal fusionextension implant is provided for interconnecting to an existing fusionimplant in a spine of a patient, the existing fusion implant having atleast one existing pedicle screw, at least one existing rod, and atleast one existing connector interconnecting the existing pedicle screwto the existing rod, the extension implant comprising a rod, an offsetbeam connected to the rod; and a clamp connected to the offset beam,wherein the clamp is adapted to be secured to the existing rod.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an extensionimplant is provided, wherein the clamp comprises a receptacle forreceiving at least a portion of the existing rod and the receptaclecomprises opposing arms that extend around at least an equator of theexisting rod.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an extensionimplant is provided, wherein the clamp comprises a deformable bodyhaving a slot with first and second sides, the deformable body having afirst wing on the first slot side and a second wing on the second slotside.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention an extensionimplant is provided, further comprising a screw for deforming at leastone of the first or second wings away from the other of the first orsecond wings.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an extensionimplant is provided, wherein the rod portion and the offset beam areconnected by means of a transitional section.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention a spinal fusionextension implant is provided for interconnecting to an existing fusionimplant in a spine of a patient, the existing fusion implant having atleast one existing pedicle screw, at least one existing rod, and atleast one existing connector interconnecting the existing pedicle screwto the existing rod, the extension implant comprising a means forlongitudinally stabilizing at least a portion of the spine, a means foroffsetting around at least one of the existing pedicle screw and theexisting connector, the means for offsetting connected to the means forlongitudinally stabilizing, and a means for clamping connected to themeans for offsetting, wherein the means for clamping secures the meansfor longitudinally stabilizing and the means for offsetting to theexisting rod.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a clamp isprovided for attaching a first spinal implant member to a second spinalimplant member, comprising a deformable body, a receptacle, within thedeformable body, for receiving at least a portion of the second spinalimplant member, the receptacle comprising opposing arms, wherein theopposing arms extend around at least an equator of the second spinalimplant member, a slot, within the deformable body, wherein the slotseparates a first and second wing of the deformable body; and a screwfor tightening the clamp, wherein the screw operates to separate thefirst and second wings and wherein the separation results in adeformation of the deformable body, whereby the deformation results in aclosing of the receptacle around the at least a portion of the secondspinal implant member.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a clamp isprovided further comprising a screw hole, within the deformable body,extending through the first wing of the deformable body, the screw holeadapted to receive the screw to facilitate contact with the second wingof the deformable body.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a method forextending a spinal rod is provided, comprising the steps of installing apedicle screw into a vertebra adjacent an existing spinal implant,connecting the pedicle screw to a portion of a spinal rod extension,having a clamp operatively associated therewith, the clamp having atleast one receptacle adapted to receive a rod and being deformable tosecure the rod, inserting into the receptacle a rod portion of theexisting implant, and deforming the clamp to secure the rod portion ofthe existing spinal implant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a side elevation view of an existing implant and of anembodiment of the present invention connected to the implant;

FIG. 1 b is a side elevation view of the existing implant and embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 1 b, shown here attached to aspine;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a rod portion of the embodiment ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an offset beam portion of theembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a transitional rod-to-offset beamportion of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a clamp portion of the embodiment ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 2.

Drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a rod extensionfor extending a fusion construct is provided. The rod extension allows asurgeon to connect a stabilization rod implant to at least a portion ofa patient's spine, and also connect the stabilization rod implant to anexisting implant that has been previously installed in the patient. Invarious embodiments of the present invention a device is provided thatmay be used to extend an existing fusion rod implant cephalad andcaudal.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, rod extension 100 is shown in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The rod extension 100 provides fora simple, rigid connection to an existing fusion rod. The rod extension100 generally includes a rod portion 104, an offset beam 108, and aclamp 112. As shown in FIG. 1 a, the rod extension 100 is connected toan existing fusion implant 116, wherein the existing fusion implant 116comprises an existing rod 120, existing pedicle screws 124, and existingconnectors 128 that interconnect the existing rod 120 to the existingpedicle screws 124.

Referring still to FIG. 1 a, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention, the rod extension 100 is of sufficient length toallow the device to be anchored to the spine at the end comprising therod portion 104, while at the other end extending sufficient distance tobe connected to an existing implant 116. The end comprising the rodportion 104 may be anchored to the spine using hooks or other means tobe attached to the spine. As shown in FIG. 1 a, a pedicle screw 132 isshown interconnected to the rod 104 using a connector 136, wherein thepedicle screw 132 may be inserted into the pedicle of a vertebra foranchoring the end comprising the rod portion 104 to the spine. Inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, the offset beam108 comprises a means for stepping over or around the screw head of anexisting pedicle screw 124 and existing connector 128, thereby allowingthe rod portion 104 of the rod extension 100 to be substantially alignedwith the existing rod 120. The offset beam 108, therefore, is ofsufficient dimensions to allow the rod extension 100 to have access tothe existing rod 120 via clamp 112, while also providing clearance fromthe screw head of an existing screw 124 and its associated existingconnector 128. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,the offset beam 108 may further comprise a telescoping means or othermeans for adjusting its longitudinal length and/or its offset or stepdimension to accommodate different implant systems and/or to furtheraccommodate actual conditions found within each patient.

FIG. 1 a illustrates one possible orientation of existing rod 120, rodportion 104, offset beam 108, and clamp 112. In particular, existing rod120 and offset beam 108 are shown to be parallel. Additionally, existingrod 120 and rod portion 104 are shown to be collinear. It should beunderstood, however, that other orientations are within the scope of theinvention. For example, existing rod 120 and offset beam 108 may beoriented at an angle or existing rod 120 and rod portion 104 may not becollinear. Differing orientations may be needed to accommodate theunique dimensions of the various spinal structures of individualpatients. In addition, the various elements of the rod extension may beoriented to accommodate the natural curvature of the spine. Furthermore,all of the drawings contained herein are for illustration purposes andshould not be considered to scale.

Referring now to FIG. 1 b, a rod extension 100, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, is shown attached to a humanspine. Fig. lb shows vertebrae V1, V2, V3, and V4 separated by disks D.The existing spinal fusion implant 116 is shown anchored to vertebraeV2, V3, and V4. The spinal extension 100 is shown anchored to vertebraV1 and attached to the existing spinal fusion implant 116 by means ofconnector 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top plan view of the rod extension 100 is shown.The rod extension 100 is shown with a rod portion 104 at a first end ofthe extension 100, and the offset beam 108 with the clamp portion 112 atthe other end of the rod extension 100. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectionalview of the rod portion 104. The rod portion 104 is shown to have acircular cross-section, although other shapes are within the scope ofthe present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates that the offset beam 108 maycomprise a rectangular cross section, wherein such cross sectionprovides for a low profile configuration. However, the cross section ofthe offset beam 108 may take on a circular shape or other desired shapeto step over or around the existing screw head and associated connector.FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the transition section 140 between therod portion 104 and the offset beam 108.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view through the clampportion 112 of the rod extension 100 is shown. In accordance withembodiments of the present invention, the clamp portion 112 comprises adeformable body 144 having a receptacle 148 for receiving a portion ofthe existing rod 120, such as a portion of the existing rod 120 locatedbetween two existing pedicle screws 124. The receptacle 148 of thedeformable body 144 preferably comprises opposing arms 150 a and 150 b,where each of the opposing arms 150 a and 150 b preferably extend beyondan equator E of the existing rod 120.

Referring still to FIG. 6, the deformable body 144 further includes ameans for deforming the deformable body 144. As shown in FIG. 6, and inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, the means fordeforming comprises a slot 152 within the body 144. The slot 152separates a first wing 156 of the deformable body 144 from a second wing160 of the deformable body 144, and allows the two wings 156 and 160 tobe displaced relative to each other. As shown in FIG. 6, the means fordeforming also comprises a screw 164 for advancement through screw hole168. As the screw 164 is advanced in the direction of arrow Al intoscrew hole 168, the distal end 172 of the screw 164 contacts shoulder176 of second wing 160. This causes the first wing 156 to separate fromthe second wing 160. That is, at slot 152, first wing 156 generallymoves in the direction of arrow A2, and second wing 160 generally movesin the direction of arrow A3. In turn, the opposing arms 150 a and 150 bof the deformable body 144 close to pinch or clamp around the existingrod 120. In order to provide sufficient leverage for the screw 164 toseparate the two wings 156 and 160, the screw hole 168 is offset fromthe centerline C of the deformable body 144.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the pediclescrews 124 and 132, and connectors 128 and 136 may allow for angularadjustment of the components. Furthermore, a variety of anchor devices,pedicle screws, connectors, and rods may be used with the presentinvention. U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,816 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. US2003-0093078; US 2003-0171751; US 2003-0191470; US 2004-0002708; and US2004-0181223 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In a separate aspect of the invention, a method of using the rodextension 100 is provided. In accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, the method comprises forming an incision in the patient, theincision not extending the entire length of an existing fusion implant116 in the patient. Alternatively, the incision could be at least theentire length of the existing implant 116. The surgeon then installs anew pedicle screw 132 into a vertebra beyond the existing fusion implant116. The rod extension 100 is then loosely interconnected to the newlyinstalled pedicle screw 132, such as by inserting the rod portion 104 ofthe rod extension 100 into a new connector 136 that is connected to thenew pedicle screw 132. The surgeon then adjusts the position of the rodextension 100, including inserting the existing rod 120 into thereceptacle 148 of the clamp portion 112 of the rod extension 100. Inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the surgeon mayadjust the orientation of the rod extension 100 by rotating the device,if so desired. That is, an appropriately shaped rod portion 104 andreceptacle 148 for the existing rod 120 can allow at least some rotationof the rod extension 100 before tightening the rod extension 100 to thenew pedicle screw 132 and existing rod 120. After properly adjusting theposition of the rod extension 100, the surgeon can then advance screw164 of clamp portion 112 to deform the deformable body 144 and securethe existing rod 120 between the opposing arms 150 a and 150 b of thedeformable body 144.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in some detail, it should be understood that other relatedembodiments are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, other ways to functionally and structurallyconnect or operatively associate a supplemental rod structure with anexisting implant are encompassed by the present invention, whether suchstructures employ clamping members that are deformable, inter-locking ormating members, or other suitable connection means that are well withinthe knowledge of those of ordinary skill in this art, be theyconventional structures or those that may be developed in the future. Inparticular, however, other clamping devices that provide an attachmentbetween an existing spinal implant and an extension to the existingimplant are considered within the scope of the invention. Moreparticularly, such devices may include the use of hooks, bolts,adhesives, clamps or alternative orientations of the elements of thepresent invention to achieve the desired structural relationship betweenthe existing spinal implant and a supplemental rod structure.

The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components,methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depictedand described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations,and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how tomake and use the present invention after understanding the presentdisclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, includesproviding devices and processes in the absence of items not depictedand/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including inthe absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices orprocesses, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/orreducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Any reference to “theinvention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in anymanner, but rather is intended to denote one or more possibleembodiments of the claimed invention. The foregoing is not intended tolimit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In theforegoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of theinvention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed inventionrequires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Moreover, though the description of the invention has includeddescription of one or more embodiments and certain variations andmodifications, other variations and modifications are within the scopeof the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge ofthose in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It isintended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to theextent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalentstructures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or notsuch alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for extending an existing implantconnected to at least two vertebra of a patient to a third vertebra ofthe patient, the existing implant including at least one existingpedicle screw, at least one existing rod oriented in a cephalad-caudadorientation, and at least one existing connector interconnecting the atleast one existing pedicle screw to the at least one existing rod,wherein a spinal anchor and a connector are associated with the thirdvertebra, the method comprising: attaching a spinal rod extension to theat least one existing rod using a securing mechanism; andinterconnecting the spinal anchor to the spinal rod extension using theconnector; wherein at least a portion of the spinal rod extension isadapted to be at least one of (a) oriented substantially aligned withthe at least one existing rod or (b) oriented aligned substantiallyparallel to the at least one existing rod.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein using the securing mechanism includes advancing a screw.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a clampthat includes a first wing and a second wing, and attaching the spinalrod extension to the at least one existing rod using the securingmechanism includes advancing a screw through a screw hole and through aportion of a slot into contact with the second wing of the clamp toachieve a separation of the first wing from the second wing, wherein theseparation results in securing the securing mechanism to the existingrod.